85°. With streamside vegetation and shade removed, summer water tem- 
peratures may go above 90° in southern Illinois. An Oregon study on the, 
“Effects of Clear-Cutting on Stream Temperatures,’ showed that average 
monthly maximum temperatures increase by 14° on streams completely 
exposed to the sun. Annual maximums were up from 57° to 85°. These 
were trout streams with a colder source of water than exists in Illinois. 
The effects would be greater due to the higher water temperatures in 
Illinois. 
Similar damages occur with respect to wildlife habitat. When straight- 
ening and/or widening is involved, most or all streamside vegetation, trees 
and brush, is destroyed. Often this is the only woody cover available to 
wildlife on the flood plain; thus the flood plain is made barren so far as 
its capability of providing all the needs of wildlife is concerned. 
Upper Shoal Creek recently channelized as part of a PL-566 project 
is a classic example. It is now a wide flume with a small flow of water down 
the middle and all woody streamside vegetation removed. It will, no 
doubt, get water off the land much faster, but the environment has been 
raped. 
By contrast lower Shoal Creek remains in its natural state. It is a 
narrow, meandering stream flowing alternately through open fields and 
